by Amy Sumida
She swallowed, feeling a little ashamed. She didn’t doubt that. They were men of honour with strong protective drives, champions for those weaker than themselves and defenders of justice. She felt safer with them than she had anywhere in her whole life and she had no doubt they would discover who was tormenting her and eliminate the threat. Her only problem was, she was terrified they would discover what she was hiding too. And then they would hate her – or worse – fear her. Witches? Magic? The supernatural world tended to freak out most people. Needing to soothe her insult, she placed a gentle hand on his rigid arm;
“I know that, Vaughn. I trust all of you to keep me safe without reservation.”
His narrowed eyes studied her intently as if gauging the sincerity of her words, before he finally nodded, “Well, that’s something at least. This isn’t a habit of ours, you know? We don’t mix business with pleasure, seducing every client we meet. You’re special.”
You’re special. Why should two simple words, have tears threatening to break free? Was she so starved for affection? Probably, she admitted. It had been years since she had heard anyone utter those words and actually mean them. Her mother had told her she was special and wanted and loved every single day. When she had died twelve years ago and Ivory had been forced to hide on her own, she had been careful to keep a certain emotional distance in every relationship she had ever been in. That was including her friendships. Libby was the first real best friend Ivory had ever allowed herself and even now, she was still lying to her.
“Vaughn …” She trailed off, unsure of what she wanted to say.
“Just give me a chance,” he implored, seeing an opening, “Give us a chance.”
She smiled a little at that, “Us, huh?”
He nodded, “Yes. Us. We’re a package deal – you have to know that. I know Ronan and Seth aren’t much in the looks or personality department, but I’ve learned to live with it. I’m sure you can too.”
His teasing startled a laugh out of her, “Look at you – making funnies. And you say you don’t know how to flirt.”
He looked surprised, “That was flirting?”
She laughed again, enjoying him – enjoying them together if she were being totally honest. She enjoyed being with him like this – casual, friendly, and with a hint of sexual tension underpinning it all. Too bad she couldn’t keep them.
Chapter Twelve
Two days later, Ivory had to force her eyes from straying in the direction of her three new housemates. They were currently flanking the door like buff sentinels in jeans, plain tees, and military boots. She wanted to use them all like a scratching post. After the explosive kiss she had shared with Vaughn, she had expected things to become uncomfortable. But dinner with the three of them the evening before had been surprisingly easy, with the three of them sharing embarrassing stories about each other. It had been as funny as it was enlightening. She had spent the past couple of nights pondering her current situation and whether or not she should take them up on their offer and get her flirt on.
“Well?”
Ivory jerked, spinning to find Libby standing directly behind her. Libby had just had four rostered days off in a row and Ivory had seen it as a blessing. Having Libby and her mouth spouting off every damn thing that popped into her head, would have been an absolute nightmare to contain. Looking at her cool blue eyes that were lit with humour but also cheekiness, Ivory decided to play dumb. Admit nothing, Ivory, “Well, what?” she asked, feigning ignorance.
Libby rolled her eyes, “Don’t be obtuse, Ivory. The Three Musketeers have been sleeping at your place for a week now. Have there been any … sword fights?” she waggled her eyebrows outrageously.
Ivory burst out laughing, “You’re terrible!”
Libby shrugged, unrepentant, “That’s why you love me.”
Ivory smiled at her closest friend. She did indeed love her and she was also very smart and supportive – when that evil tongue of hers didn’t get in the way. Maybe she could help her figure out the conundrum that was the three delicious bodyguards – talk her out of her insane fantasies and the urgings for the men. She sighed, “There were no sword fights – none that involved me anyway.”
“Why the hell not? Those men are absolutely gorgeous and it’s clear you still all have some chemistry. If even one of them looked at me like all of them look at you, I’d have had them branded and caged by now. Libby’s love slaves for all eternity.”
Ivory chuckled at her exuberant friend, “Well, that’s one of the obvious problems, isn’t it? There are three of them, three!”
Libby merely sighed, gazing poignantly off into the distance for a moment, “I know,” she looked back at her, “Ain’t it grand?”
Goodness, yes! Ivory responded, silently. It was indeed very grand but she couldn’t admit that out loud, “It’s not exactly the done thing, Lib. I can’t just get it on with three men at the same time.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Come on, Lib. Be serious,” she said. She had been hoping her friend would talk her down off the cliff. Instead, it seemed like she wanted to push her off! She should have known better.
“I am serious. Why does it matter if there are three of them?” she demanded, “The more the merrier, I say.”
Ivory snorted, “Yeah, you say. But society doesn’t say that. If I slept with all of them at the same time, I’d be a slut.”
“Who gives a fuck what society thinks? And you are so far from a slut, it’s laughable. Besides, if I’m not mistaken, those boys are already in a relationship. Do you think they’re sluts?”
“Of course not!” she responded immediately defending them, “They’re in a committed relationship – a loving one from what I’ve seen. They’re happy and not hurting anyone. I’d never put a negative label on that kind of love.”
“Uh huh,” Libby nodded, looking all smug.
Damn, she had just successfully torpedoed her own argument. Libby was a shifty little waitress! “Okay then. I don’t have a problem with polyamorous relationships – you got me there. But how about the other obvious issue? I mean, look at them and look at me. What could they possibly want with me other than a passing amusement? I may be staring down the celibacy barrel, but I’m not so desperate I’ll let myself be used as some kind of play-thing.”
Libby let out an aggrieved sound and faced her more fully. Placing her hands on her cheeks, she spoke firmly, “Ivory, you listen to me; you are beautiful. I don’t know what douche made you believe you weren’t but you need to get over that. And even if you weren’t much to look at, looks aren’t everything. A person’s true beauty comes from within. I thought you had more self-esteem than this.”
Ivory flinched guiltily. Her problem with her looks didn’t come from an arsehole ex as Libby assumed. And truly, she didn’t mind the face she’d chosen to help hide her away from the world – she really wasn’t that vain or self-obsessed. What she hated was the constant lie. She hated that no-one ever saw the true her. She wanted to be able to look at her friend and see her through her own unique violet irises. She wanted those three men to look at her face and see her real cheekbones, fantasise about her real lips, and dream about stroking her real hair. It wasn’t self-doubt she felt, but longing.
“You’re right, Lib,” was all she could say.
“Damn right I am. Now, have any of them made you feel cheap or like a temporary romp between the sheets?”
Ivory sighed, “No. In fact, they’re saying all the right things.”
“Then why don’t you listen?” Libby asked, earnestly.
“It’s not that simple,” but she was wavering …
“So make it simple,” Libby had an answer for everything.
“They’re here to do a job. Even if I allowed something to happen, they’ll be moving on as soon as my freak stalker is caught. I really don’t want to be some weekend fling – not with them.”
“Well now, that’s interesting. I know for a fact you haven’t minded being a
weekend fling in the past. There must be something different about them.”
There was. Ivory didn’t know what, but there was definitely something about the trio that drew her in. They made her want and they made her need. For the first time in her life, she felt … lonely. Never before had she felt her life was lacking in any way. She was happy – as much as she could be while hiding her true nature. She had a home, a business, friends. She had lovers when she chose and she went on vacations. But ever since meeting the three men, she had begun to feel like she was missing something – something she couldn’t name. It bothered her and it also made her yearn. Not wanting to admit any of that out loud, she asked instead;
“Why are you pushing this so much?”
Libby frowned for a moment before answering, “I just want to see you happy, Ivory. You’ve been so good to me – giving me this job when I had no references. You …” she paused, seemed to choke up a little, “… really have been a good friend to me.”
Ivory slung an arm over her shoulders, rubbing it in comfort, not sure why the other woman was being so sentimental, but appreciating it nonetheless, “You’ve been a good friend to me too. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be some kind of weird old pub owner with three cats and a cactus collection.”
Libby laughed, “You do have a tendency to become a recluse if I don’t prod you.”
Ivory knew she did – it was just a part of her nature. She was independent and treasured her solitude but she also enjoyed being social. Sometimes she would forget that – until Libby reminded her by taking her out.
“If you’re not willing to listen to me or to them – even when we’re all saying the right things – listen to your gut. Trust your instincts. Please?” Libby asked.
Ivory nodded, “Okay, okay. I’ll go with my gut.”
“And your loins. Go with them too,” Libby added, causing them both to dissolve into hysterical laughter. She really was a gem, “And remember; why choose if you don’t have to?” Lib added with a wink.
Ivory simply shook her head, glancing in the direction of her ‘bouncers’. They must have felt her eyes on them for all three of them stopped talking and looked up as one. Whoa, talk about potent. Three sets of eyes in varying shades of jade pinned her to the spot and she swore she could hear her own heartbeat as it began a frantic rhythm. She was so hyper-aware of them at all times. It didn’t help that they had all upped their ‘flirt with Ivory’ agenda. Not only did it include steamy looks and playful banter but they had also started touching her. Just casual touches, light brushes of their arms against hers as she walked past, hands meeting as she passed them their morning coffee.
As she watched, Seth jerked his head in a ‘come here’ gesture. She looked behind her, pretending to look for someone else. When she turned back around Seth was pointing at her and then pointing at the ground in front of him. She mimed an amazed, ‘who me?’, clutching her hands to her chest. They all looked surprised at her antics and the warm pleasure she saw on their faces made her feel like a real heel. Had she been such a hard-case that some lame miming made them happy? Man, she really was a bitch. Well, no more, she decided, picking her way through the crowd in their direction. She was going to open her mind and take a chance on this once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Ivory!” Lib yelled from behind her. She paused, looking back to see her crazy friend holding up two fingers on either hand and crossing them over each other. She didn’t speak but Ivory had no trouble reading her exaggerated lip movements, “Hashtag, why choose?”
Ivory shook her head, refusing to be baited and refusing to smile as she wanted to – she really shouldn’t encourage her.
“Did she just hashtag you?”
Ivory glanced up, her breath catching in her chest a little when she saw Seth’s smiling face directly in front of her, “Ignore her. She’s nuts.”
“She’s fun,” he retorted.
Well, she couldn’t dispute that.
“Are you done for the night?” Ronan asked from her left.
“Yes. Libby, Lee, and Craig are working close tonight.” It was eleven now, and she had been working for twelve hours.
“Good. I’m starving,” Seth expelled a pent-up breath.
Vaughn rolled his eyes, “You’re always starving.”
Seth narrowed his eyes, “I’m a growing a boy.”
“Well, you won’t be doing any more growing tonight. You’re on bouncer duty,” Vaughn reminded him – with a tad too much relish, Ivory thought.
Seth’s shoulders immediately slumped and all the animation from his face disintegrated in an instant. They had decided that at least one of them would be with her at all times in her apartment and two of them when she was out in public. Not that she went out in public much other than here lately. She could still hear that chilling voice in her head telling her she was bad and to make them leave. She didn’t think walking around town with all three of them on her arm would help the situation. Tonight, both Vaughn and Ronan would be with her upstairs and Seth would stay and play the part of bouncer. It was too suspicious if they all left when she did. There were only four hours left until everything shut down for the night – not that Seth seemed to care about that. The man was pouting big time.
“Why do you both get to play with Ivory while I stay here?” he sulked.
“Because you lost the rock off, ya big baby,” Vaughn taunted, nudging his shoulder.
Ivory giggled at that. It seemed the only way the three of them were ever able to make any fair decision was to engage in a round of rock, scissors, paper. She watched them complete the ritual every night before bedtime to determine who would be on night duty and who would be sharing the bed or sleeping alone. Poor Seth seemed to lose with alarming regularity.
“It’s only spag bol, Seth. Nothing exciting. I promise to save some for you.” She actually enjoyed cooking for them every night. She loved cooking and baking and it was nice to see someone other than herself reaping the benefit of her culinary skills.
“That’s not the point. They’re going to try to steal you from me,” he placed his hand over his heart dramatically.
She laughed, “There’s plenty of me to go around.”
Shocked stillness met her words. Crap. She’d just said that out loud. It had been her first honest response to their advances and she wouldn’t take it back. No matter what those crazy butterflies in her stomach thought.
Vaughn’s face looked earnest as he demanded confirmation, “Is there?”
She swallowed; all in, Ivory, “Yes. There is,” she pledged.
Chapter Thirteen
Ronan had been unable to take his eyes off Ivory the whole night. Her comfort level with them had grown by leaps and bounds over the past few days and although she had been easy with them, she had yet to reciprocate their obvious advances. But this evening he had noticed a definite shift in her temperament. She was always easy-going and laid back in general but he sensed she was never fully relaxed around them. But since they had returned to her apartment above the bar, she had been playful and her banter held definite sexual undertones. He wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless but was afraid this new little bubble would pop.
The past week had been one of the happiest of his life – despite the terrible and inappropriate circumstances. The more he learned about their feisty little client, the more he liked. And he knew he wasn’t alone in his crush either. Seth and Vaughn were just as interested and intrigued. She was a true dichotomy, feminine and vulnerable but also strong and independent. She had been making her own way in the world since her mother died when she was eighteen and wasn’t used to asking for help from anyone. She was always happy to talk about her past, including adventures, education, and travels, in broad terms but never specifics. It was the only blight on his infatuation. Even though they had long since stopped worrying about her being a hunter, they all knew she was still keeping something from them. He hoped this new, open Ivory would soon trust them enough to share. It was
almost a full-time job keeping Vaughn’s blunt, suspicious mouth shut. The man and his panther were practically frothing at the mouth to make Ivory talk. But at the end of the day, it really wasn’t any of their business unless Ivory decided it was.
He pushed back the bowl he had practically licked clean and patted his full stomach. It was now well past one in the morning and they were only just finishing up another delicious home cooked meal. Ivory had ended up staying downstairs for another hour and by the time they completed their usual checks and Ivory showered and cooked, it made their dinner more like a midnight snack. Not that he was complaining – none of them could cook worth shit – so he was basking in all these wonderful meals.
“What’s this?” he looked askance at the bowl Ivory placed in front of him.
“Dessert,” was her prompt reply, placing an identical bowl in front of Vaughn.
Ronan picked up his spoon and prodded Ivory’s offering dubiously. It looked to be Neapolitan ice cream, which was fine, he loved all three flavours. But what was strange was the topping. It was brown in colour but he knew it wasn’t chocolate. Inhaling deeply, he picked up the salty and greasy smell of bacon. Bacon? He groaned. This strange concoction was a favourite of Vaughn’s – he had somehow shanghaied Ivory into making it for him.
Ronan moaned; “Bacon and ice cream?”
She nodded, staring at Vaughn intently, “Yes. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Desire, heady and intense started to pump off Vaughn in waves. Clearly, he was missing something here. And it was something big he thought, as Vaughn pushed his seat back from the table, paced to Ivory in two quick strides, scooped her off her feet, and proceeded to kiss the living hell out of her. For her part, Ivory didn’t push him away or slap his face or any of the things Ronan assumed she would. He sat dumbfounded and horny, watching the show until Vaughn returned a swaying Ivory to her feet several minutes later.
